Last formal day of the Retreat today! Tomorrow, I have a chance to talk to the ordinands wives. Quite a privilege. I wondered what to say, but Andrew said that they would probably have so many questions that not much prep would be required. I (Helen) have been helping Peter and Christine get ready for the Sunday Ordination service. The problems associated with getting clothes sewn in a third world country emphasise the fact that almost everything is harder here – just to get something sewn on time and sewn so that it fits is hard – and getting something “off the peg” is out of the question.However, it means that I had some fun sewing some slight alterations to Christine’s outfit. On theme of “developing world”, the roads here, even in the good suburb in which we are staying, are full of lumps and hollows. Last night, I fell while walking along the road, because even in the moonlit darkness, the lights of an approaching car were so blinding that momentarily, as it approached, I could not see and took an unguarded step. Ooops! Over went the ankle and down I went. By the grace of God, it was not when the car was close by or who knows whether I would have survived. I picked myself up and there was no lasting damage. Next time, I will wear some shoes with a bit of grip.Later… I could not post this blog because when we came to it, the internet was so slow in opening that we could have been here forever just waiting for it to open, let alone uploading anything.So it is back to writing at 6am on Sunday morning…On Saturday, we were guests of honour at the “swearing in” or “declaration of vows”, which the ordinands made. One man was so moved that he was shaking as he made his vows to the Bishop. We were humbled to receive thanks from the Bishop for our part in preparing the ordinands over the past few days. I needn’t have gotten stressed over my lack of preparation before coming to Kondoa, because the simple things I have been able to write before each session seem to have been well-received and actually better than something I pored over for hours. I have been very dependent on the Lord to inspire me with what they needed to hear.Ian’s part has been similar in that before we came, we expected that he would be leading an evangelist’s conference running in parallel to the ordinands’ retreat – but that did not eventuate. So he did some of my slots and I was very pleased, as he did so much better a job than I would have.

Mary Bateman

21/6/2016 12:42:58 pm

Ian did a better job because he's been there, done that! Praise the Lord, he knew you didn't need a lot of prep. Just as well, coz you didn't get it! Heaps of hugs as you go out to the villages, xoxoxo, Mary

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2016 STM to Kondoa

Ian & Helen are off again to visit the Diocese of Kondoa in Tanzania. The trip includes an ordination retreat, the ordination and village visits.